2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was built on Volvo’s SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform. This platform was shared with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. The XC60 featured an elegant, tailored crossover design with short front and rear overhangs, and a body that emphasized an agile form. The front grille proudly displayed Volvo’s iron mark logo, and the headlights had an LED daytime running light in the shape of Thor’s hammer. The paint quality, chrome, and trim were beautifully executed, and the alloy wheels, up to 21 inches on top trim levels, were fashionable and attractive.

Inside, the XC60’s cabin was defined by clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene aura. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was easier to accept by 2021 than it was in 2018. The little details, such as the elegant HVAC vents with a single, grooved, chromed knob, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status. The textures and colors throughout the cabin were harmonious and rewarding, making it a very nice place to spend time.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, redesigned for the 2019 model year, retained a boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The styling largely carried over from the previous generation, with the most notable change being the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. The Forester Sport models featured orange striping around the lower edges of the body and roof rails, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a big difference in appearance, especially with a complementary paint color.

The Forester rode on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with other Subaru models like the Impreza, Crosstrek, Legacy, and Outback. The interior was a no-nonsense mix of materials designed to withstand years of use. The Sport trim level added orange trim and cross-stitching to the interior. Base, Premium, and Sport models had cloth upholstery, while Limited and Touring models had leather upholstery. The All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trim levels, included heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all featuring a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models, available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 models, with AWD only, delivered 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, thanks to both a turbocharger and a supercharger. The T8 models, plug-in hybrids (PHEV), combined a gasoline engine with an 87-horsepower electric motor, resulting in a total of 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered model increased the output to 415 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque.

The XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered, the most potent variant, could drive up to 19 miles on electric power alone. The AWD system and torque vectoring allowed the XC60 to glide around corners effortlessly. The cabin was quiet, and the suspension smoothed out bumps, making it an excellent road-trip car. EPA fuel economy figures ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV and 57 MPGe combined in electric-only mode. Premium gasoline was recommended for all XC60 models.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a single powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine had a boxer configuration, providing a lower center of gravity. The Forester had a 1,500-pound maximum towing capacity and standard Trailer Stability Assist. While the power felt adequate in most situations, it lacked the thrust needed for highway merging or overtaking. The suspension was softly sprung, resulting in poor body control and a bouncy ride on uneven pavement.

AWD was standard on the Forester, with a sophisticated drivetrain that included X-Mode for different surfaces. Sport models had Dual X-Mode with “Snow/Dirt” and “Snow/Mud” modes. Premium and higher trim levels had standard hill-descent control, and all models had 8.7 inches of ground clearance. However, for serious off-road capability, other vehicles like the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk or Ford Bronco Sport were better options.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed to transport people safely and comfortably. The front seats were highly adjustable and heated, making them ideal for winter conditions. The heating system, rear glass heater, windshield defroster, washer, and wipers were effective in sub-freezing temperatures. The cabin featured smart storage solutions in the center console, dashboard, and door panels. The second row had secure storage in the seatbacks, lower center console, door panels, and center armrest. The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It could tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2021 Subaru Forester provided above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roof. The large windows offered excellent outward visibility and a roomy feeling. The Forester had 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It had more cargo space than some competitors but lacked a sliding second-row bench. A power liftgate was optional on the Sport trim and standard on the Limited and Touring trims. The center console was reasonably sized, but the phone-storage cubby was too small for an average-size phone, and wireless charging was not available. The large knobs for audio volume, tuning, and climate control were user-friendly, but the steering wheel had too many buttons and switches.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. The system was intuitive for frequent iPad users, with swipe, pinch, and pull gestures. The screen was divided into function quadrants, making it easy to navigate. However, there was a learning curve, and it could be distracting to use while driving. The XC60 included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot with a three-month trial. The Volvo On Call app offered vehicle-specific functionality. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system was exceptional.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and front-row USB ports. Sport models had an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while Limited and Touring models added navigation and rear USB ports. The system was easy to use, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls. However, the screen was slow to boot up. The Forester also had a secondary screen in the center of the dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster, displaying secondary information like fuel economy and tire pressure.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 benefited from Volvo’s heritage of safety innovations. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, low- and high-speed collision mitigation, vehicle/cyclist/large animal detection, driver alert control, run-off road protection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping aid, front, side, and curtain airbags, whiplash protection, slippery road/hazard light alert, rear park assist camera, power child locks, and care key. The semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, integrating adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. The XC60’s top speed was restricted to 112 mph for safety.

The 2021 Subaru Forester also excelled in safety, receiving the highest “Top Safety Pick+” award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Forester came standard with EyeSight, a suite of driver-assist features including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. The Forester was the only mainstream brand to offer a driver-monitoring system, DriverFocus, which checked for signs of distraction. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.